If you're from the Philippines you've already known that there are 7,641 known islands in the country. 

The Philippines is a tropical paradise with some of the most breathtaking beaches in the world. With its number of islands, it can be challenging to choose where to go. So, to make it easier for you, we've compiled a list of the 10 best beaches in the Philippines. Take note that this is our compiled list based from experience, stories from friends, and of course from others who have experienced it. Also we added a few tips and tricks to get there in a more convenient but affordable way, hopefully it's cheaper.

So, let's begin with our list.   

1. Boracay Island, Aklan - Boracay Island is known for its pristine white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. The best areas to stay in Boracay are Station 1, Station 2, and Station 3, which offer a variety of accommodations, including luxury hotels, budget hostels, and private villas. To get to Boracay, fly to either Kalibo or Caticlan, and then take a ferry or a pump boat to the island.

2. El Nido, Palawan - El Nido is a paradise on earth, with towering limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, and clear waters. The best areas to stay in El Nido are Corong-Corong and Lio Beach, which offer a range of accommodations from budget-friendly hostels to luxury resorts. To get to El Nido, fly to Puerto Princesa, and then take a bus or a van to El Nido.

3. Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte - Siargao Island is known for its world-class waves, white sand beaches, and laid-back atmosphere. The best areas to stay in Siargao are General Luna and Cloud 9, which offer a variety of accommodations, including surf resorts, budget hostels, and private villas. To get to Siargao, fly to either Sayak Airport or Surigao City, and then take a ferry or a van to Siargao.

4. Coron Island, Palawan - Coron Island is known for its crystal-clear lakes, WWII shipwrecks, and stunning beaches. The best areas to stay in Coron are Coron Town and Busuanga Island, which offer a variety of accommodations, including budget-friendly guesthouses and luxury resorts. To get to Coron,
fly to Busuanga, and then take a van or a boat to Coron.

5. Panglao Island, Bohol - Panglao Island is home to some of the best beaches in Bohol, with white sand, crystal-clear waters, and excellent snorkeling spots. The best areas to stay in Panglao are Alona Beach and Dumaluan Beach, which offer a range of accommodations, including budget-friendly guesthouses and luxury resorts. To get to Panglao, fly to Tagbilaran, and then take a tricycle or a van to Panglao.

6. Calaguas Island, Camarines Norte - Calaguas Island boasts powdery white sand, crystal-clear waters, and a laid-back atmosphere. The best area to stay in Calaguas is Mahabang Buhangin Beach, which offers budget-friendly camping tents and cottages. To get to Calaguas, take a bus from Manila or Naga to Paracale, and then take a boat to Calaguas.

7. Bantayan Island, Cebu - Bantayan Island is a quiet paradise with pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. The best area to stay in Bantayan is Santa Fe, which offers a range of accommodations, including budget-friendly guesthouses and luxury resorts. To get to Bantayan, fly to Cebu City, and then take a bus or a van to Hagnaya Port. From there, take a ferry to Bantayan Island.

8. Malapascua Island, Cebu - Malapascua Island is famous for its thresher shark diving and white sand beaches. The best area to stay in Malapascua is Bounty Beach, which offers budget-friendly guesthouses and dive resorts. To get to Malapascua, fly to Mactan-Cebu International Airport, and then take a taxi or a private car to Maya Port. From there, take a ferry or a pump boat to Malapascua Island. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Cebu City to Maya Port, but the journey can take up to 4-5 hours.

9. Camiguin Island, Northern Mindanao - Camiguin Island is known for its stunning beaches, hot springs, and waterfalls. The best areas to stay in Camiguin are Mambajao and Yumbing, which offer a range of accommodations, including budget-friendly guesthouses and beach resorts. To get to Camiguin, fly to either Cagayan de Oro or Butuan City, and then take a bus or a van to Balingoan Port. From there, take a ferry to Camiguin Island.

10. Caramoan Island, Camarines Sur - Caramoan Island is a hidden gem in Camarines Sur, with white sand beaches and limestone cliffs. The best area to stay in Caramoan is Paniman Beach, which offers a variety of accommodations, including budget-friendly guesthouses and beach resorts. To get to Caramoan, take a bus or a van from Manila or Legazpi to Sabang Port. From there, take a boat to Caramoan Island.

In terms of getting to these islands, the most convenient and affordable way is to fly to the nearest airport and take public transportation to the port where you can catch a ferry or a boat to the island. Alternatively, you can also hire a private car or van to take you directly to the port. 

Another tip to save on your travels is to plan your activities and book your flights at least a month before your travel. You can save much on air travel costs. 

To save on accommodation costs, consider staying in budget-friendly guesthouses or hostels, or opt for camping if available. It's also a good idea to book your accommodations in advance to secure your preferred room type and avoid last-minute price hikes.

Overall, these 10 beaches offer a range of experiences for travelers looking for relaxation, adventure, and natural beauty. Of course, you'll have to do your own planning and research so you can easily get to these destinations and enjoy a memorable vacation without breaking the bank. We've just listed down this beaches for you to check out and when that time comes enjoy!

A Need for Framework Revision

Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, CEO of Ayala Corporation, one of the country’s top corporations and a staunch advocate for the importance of technical skills in our society, once expressed that a vocational or technical degree should be given a prominent position in our country’s educational framework. The curriculum should be wider and the accreditation status should be improved significantly so that it will produce young graduates with specific skills that match the market needs.

In the Philippines, the two main agencies tasked in providing basic education in the country are DepEd or Department of Education for the academics and TESDA which stands for Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, which is mandated to provide direction, policies, programs and standards towards quality technical education and skills development. The two bodies should complement each other so that there will be no overlapping of roles that could create conflicts in the implementation of their programs. However, it seems that the curriculum from these two bodies have created some challenges for both of them. Eversince K-12 curriculum has been implemented, DepEd has gotten some resources from TESDA because the tech-voc curriculum should be handled by experts in the technical field and not by a regular teacher. So this phenomena, which was unseen as the would-be effect of the K-12, needs to be resolved.

During the recent Sonshine Media Network International [SMNI] News presidential debates, University of the Philippines professor, Clarita Carlos remarked: “Education is so pivotal to the life of the nation. Why in heaven’s name did we divide our education system into DepEd, K-12 and ChEd? At kung bobo ka diyan ka na lang sa tech voc. There’s something so brainless about those divisions.”

Even Governor Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu appealed to DepEd and TESDA to focus on their respective mandates. She stated that the Department of Education should focus on basic education and in the students’ academic performances and TESDA can take care of the technical skills.

Give TESDA Free Rein 

TESDA should be given complete responsibility by the government for technical and vocational training, a separate agency from DOLE, DTI and DepEd. However, TESDA needs to go beyond providing instructions and training. Skills assessment should be thorough and must meet globally-competitive criteria. And lastly, granting professional license to successful graduates would give them the recognition that would elevate their status from merely a tech-voc graduate into a professional practitioner of their chosen skill. Possessing a license gives graduates a sense of pride and achievement. Licensing should be the goal that each tech-voc graduate must aim for because acquiring a license would give them a right to demand a higher salary and compensation for their services. And most of all, they can be at par with the technical graduates of progressive countries. The licensure tests “is the final ‘quality control’ check before tech-voc graduates are allowed to practice a profession which depends on the lives of people or safety of buildings like carpenters, cosmetology and culinary graduates among many other serviceoriented fields

Licensure examination is but one wheel in the big cog of Philippine Qualifications Framework. The said framework supposedly sets multiple criteria that measures quality assurance principles and standards of the Filipino professional, technician and craftsman.

Performing this mandate would mean for TESDA to do a much needed review of their services and offers. What could TESDA offer to their future enrollees to attract more of them in the future and in order for TESDA to be an effective arm of the government for manpower development?

Reshaping Tech-Voc 

It is proposed that the tech-voc curriculum be two tracks: meaning the courses offered will be either service oriented or product oriented. These two classifications will serve different purposes and will be monitored differently as well.